Question

The atomic number and mass number of sulphur are $16$and $32$ respectively. What information is conveyed by this statement?

Answer 1

The atomic number of an element is equal to the total number of protons present in the nucleus of the atom. Therefore,

The atomic number $=$ number of protons$=$number of electrons (in the neutral atom).

Hence, sulphur having an atomic number $16$ will have $16$ protons and $16$ electrons.

The mass number of an element is equal to the total sum of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of the atom.

The mass number $=$ number of protons $+$number of neutrons.

Number of neutrons $=$mass number $-$number of protons

A number of neutrons $=$$32-16$ $=$$16$.

Hence, sulphur contains$16$ protons, $16$ electrons and $16$ neutrons.